Sophia W.

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I was 2 weeks post-op on Tues, July 2nd. I hadn't had an appointment scheduled, but my husband was worried about me. My friends were worried about me. I was worried about me. I was very tired, very weak. I found it very hard to swallow anything, I was gagging on everything but water. I tried to just shrugged it off and say 'its hot outside' or, because we were in the process of moving, thats why I was tired. So we took a break from moving and went to see the nurse. And I got scolded, big time. I was very dehydrated. I had lost (with my 13lbs from pre-surgery) a total of 32lbs. That me not drinking my protein shakes were not good, I had to start eating. Jell-O, applesauce, protein shakes; she said to go back to broth if none of those worked. She said to dilute my protein shakes with water to thin them out, if necessary. That has helped some. The hard part is remembering to eat. I've always been the type of person that if I wasn't hungry, I won't eat. The naseau finally has gone away, for the most part. I still tire easily, but as the nurse said (read: scolded) I am supposed to take it easy, that I am recovering from major surgery. That's hard for me, too, as my husband and I have different work schedules, I am home with our babies alone for the most part. And you can't really rest with two little ones, but I am learning. My new life, I am learning. Small, VERY frequent sips of water. Must eat. Must rest. Do not lift anything heavier than 10lbs. I am learning. The hardest part, for me, is smelling food that I can't eat....driving down the streets and smelling the restarants. watching my husband/friends/family eat stuff I can't. Being at the park with my kids and seeing all the BBQ's and knowing I can't sink my teeth in that juicy cheeseburger. Not drinking during a meal, not drinking for 1 hour post-meal, thats been a struggle, too. I just have to have patience and take my time. Its a lot to learn and remember. 

was a trip, let me tell ya! Because of famial reasons, I rarely drink, never done drugs. So I am very careful when I do because I have a pretty low tolerance to medication. The anesthsia knocked me on my butt, I was so darn loopy! My husband and I had planned for him to bring our boys (age 3 1/2 and 14 months) for a quick visit since I had to stay overnight and couldn't see them. I vaguely remember them. My Dad came to see me to, or so I was told, didn't remember that at all. My best friend was there until visiting hours were over, holding my hand while I slept. I do remember that. It took over 3 hours for me to be able to keep my eyes open for any length of time. 

Apparently, there was some minor complications and the surgery was closer to 2 hours. I can't imagine how worried my husband was. Dr. Chock met with my husband later and told him that the surgery went ok but she discovered I had a hernia and that had to be repaired first, and that was why it took longer than normal. 

They don't want you to be still for long, that first walk to the bathroom was brutal! Sat down to pee and nothing. The nurse turned on the faucet water, nothing. I felt bad because I thought I felt the urge to go but it was like I couldn't relay the message to my girly parts! The nurse was cool, said it happened to everyone and said she had an idea. She came back with a kidney-shaped small hospital bed-pan thing, filled it with warm water and handed it to me while sitting on the toilet. She said to put my fingertips in it, play with the water, whatever, until I went. She left and I did that. Still took a few minutes but finally, I peed. And dang if it didn't feel like the best pee ever! LOL Finished up, nurse was walking me to my room, or so I thought but she says 'oh no, its time to walk'. Of course I looked at her like she suddenly grew 3 heads. But we walked, only 1 lap around the nurses station but I did feel better. Tired, I went to sit back down. Thank goodness I brought my laptop, watched a little bit of the movie but since I had to pee again, my rest was short-lived. Peed, walked more, did 2 laps. Rest, pee, walk. That was my night. I slept a little. By 8am, the center was popping with activity. I was released to go home. I had my prescriptions for liquid pain medications, under the tongue dissolvable anti-nauseua medication. First day/night home was ok. My husband, bless him, slept on the couch for fear of hitting me in our bed. I slept upright for the first couple of days because I couldn't handle much more than that. The thing that no one told me about was the gas bubbles. GOOD GOD THAT WAS PAIN! I ended up refilling my prescription of liquid pain medication because the pain got a lot worse before it got better. Day 4 post-op was the worst. The gas bubbles felt like someone was stabbing my shoulder, it was incredible. Heating pad on my tummy helped a little. Day 5 I cried more than I've cried in a long time. I was in so much pain, I was feeling very regretful, wondering what the Hell did I do, wishing I didn't. Day 6, it was amazing, I woke up feeling good. My husband took me and our kids to the park. Played with them while I took tiny steps around. For the first 3 days post-op, you're on a clear liquid diet (broth, jello, water). I found the broth I had bought prior to surgery too salty so I just sipped my water. I remember the first time I had jello, like 6 days post-op, it was so good! 1 week post-op dr appt, I was excited, couldn't wait to find out how much I had lost. (It is estimated that people lose 30-40lbs that first month). I was told that I had lost 10lbs, and that I was dehydrated. And was reminded how important it was to drink water. There was lots of times I wanted to drink water, but when you are forced to only drink a cap-ful at a time, its hard. Gone are the days where I could guzzle a big glass of ice cold water. 

Hi, I am Sophia. I am 36, wife, mother to 2 little beautiful boys, I work full time; all-around Super Mom! I have been heavy my whole life but as I got older and had my children, it got worse. My heaviest was around 370, size 28 jeans. I've tried many diet plans and some were successful but always I slipped or got lazy and eventually the weight came back. Christmas of 2013 was really the final straw. I was talking to my aunt (who had Lap-Band 7 years prior and looked and felt fantastic) and she knew that my husband worked for a company that probably covered it. I did a little research, thought I had decided on the Gastric Bypass. Lucky for me, Northwest Weight Loss Surgery Center is right down the road from me. I called our insurance and found out that, indeed, we had excellent benefits and it was a covered procedure. I made an appointment with NWWLS for after the New Year. I met my surgeon, Dr. Alana Chock, and she spent a lot of time with my husband and I. Considering how big I was, I didn't really have any major health issues: no high blood pressure, no high chlorestral, nothing. So Dr. Chock said that it would be a matter of personal choice as to what surgery I want, she had no medical opinon. She went through the 3 types and my husband and I decided on the Lap-Sleeve. Considering what a huge decision this was, making that first decision on what type of surgery was relatively easy. Insurance required that I meet with NWWLS nurtrionist for 4 monthly appointments, for which I was happy to do. Sarah taught me a lot during those 4 months! It was also a requirement of NWWLS that I have a psych-evaluation. After speaking to a friend of mine that had the bypass 5 years earlier, I was very apprehensive. Was the therapist going to dig deep into why I was heavy? Was I an emotional eater? (duh) Why? Was she going to make me cry? Was she, did she have the power to deny me my surgery? Needless to say, the week leading up to her appointment, I was a nervous wreck. And it turns out, it was for nothing. She didn't press me on any of the stuff I had worried about. She said I seemed to have a good head on my shoulders, had the support from family and friends and spouse and she would give her blessing. Fast forward to April 29, 2014, I had my final nurtrionist appointment. Time was close, I could feel it. NWWLS just had to submit my final approval letters to insurance and I was off and running! Monday, May 5, I got the call from NWWLS insurance rep, Leah. She was surprised that the approval came in so fast, but I got it and was ready to schedule my surgery. I was elated....finally, I was going to get the help I needed. Finally, I was going to be able to get down on the floor and play trucks with my boys. Finally, I was going to be able to walk more than 15 minutes without knee pain. Finally, I might be able to climb stairs with breathing so hard. Finally, I might get my self-confidence back and wear smaller-sized clothing. I couldn't wait. Surgery was scheduled for Tuesday, June 17, 2014. Starting on Tues, June 3, I was to start my pre-surgery diet. It was pretty rough the first couple of days: a max of 870 calories, Lean Cuisines (which weren't that bad, at all, I found a couple that I really liked). I had to lose 15lbs before the surgery, to make my liver smaller, etc. On Surgery Day, I checked in at 346 with a BMI of 54.1. (I had lost 13 lbs in the two weeks.) Checking in, I was super calm, 'no big deal' attitude. My husband and best friend were shocked since it was so unlike me. They took me back, I spoke very briefly with Dr. Chock and the anesthelogist. Then the surgerical nurse took me to a bathroom to get on my surgerical socks, gown, etc. And then I started to cry and freak out and get nervous. Came out of the bathroom and practically fell into my husband's arms in tears. He hugged me tight and whispered calmly to me, reminded me why I was doing this. That, yes, it was going to be hard, but wasn't it going to be worth it. I, as they say, 'manned up' and walked to the OR with the nurse. Laid down on the table, got my surgical cap on. The anesthelogist started to do his thing and I started to cry again and damn near hyperventilate. Then I got the drugs and that was all she wrote. Previously, we were that the surgery would last about an hour. Amazing to hear, considering all that the doctor was about to do.